Honour restored for CBT Camaro / 2013 Mini Britannia

The annual Tour Britannia has quickly become CBT Racing owner Stuart Scott’s favourite motorsport event, but the 2013 edition wasn’t kind to him, with a first-day retirement for his Chevrolet Camaro ending the dream of a win on the 40th anniversary of James Hunt’s triumph. Fortunately, however, he and regular co-driver Steve Wood were given a second opportunity at glory when they entered the Mini Britannia (MB) in October; a one-day version of the main Tour. They would be up against an impressive array of cars and drivers, but their main competition would again be the Porsche 911 of 2012 & 2013 Tour winners Phil Hindley and Andy Bull.

Engine failure had spelled doom for CBT back in May, but the intervening months had allowed Mike Jordan to substantially overhaul the car, while engine builder Peter Knight had both restored the V8 to health and also added a few horses to its output, leaving it with an impressive 475bhp. Together with Stuart’s and Steve’s high motivation to make amends for their earlier retirement, this was looking a very strong package as the day approached.

Although the MB would take place on Saturday, October 5th, things kicked off on Friday the 4th with scrutineering, documentation checks and the drivers’ briefing taking place in the shadow of the iconic Battersea Power Station. The noise test was passed without issue, and with that first hurdle out of the way it made for a relaxed evening at the Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour ahead of an early night.

Rising early the next morning, Stuart and Steve were ready for the 9.25 start and the 23 mile drive from Battersea to another historic landmark, Brooklands. Support for the day would come from Eurotech’s Craig Smith, who was also part of Andrew Jordan’s crew for what would turn out to be a championship-winning BTCC campaign.

With the first leg being on public roads, keeping to the speed limit was the first objective. The quicker stuff would come later during the first stage at Mercedes Benz World – adjacent to the Brooklands Museum and within the grounds of the original circuit – but the CBT Camaro was unlikely to beat the existing record of 137.58mph, set on the outer circuit in 1935 by Kaye Done in a Sunbeam Tiger. But already there were signs that this wouldn’t be a trouble-free day, as the brand-new alternator already exhibited signs of playing up. Whatever thoughts Craig might have had of this being a doddle after his BTCC exploits would soon be dispelled.

The badinage between the competitors was developing even before the first stage was run, with Carl Williamson coming over to the CBT duo and promising to “kick your arses” in the Ferrari 308 he was sharing with Andrew McAlpine. Carl is Mark Higgins’ co-driver on the latter’s international rallies and is well known to Stuart on account of Cambridge Business Travel organising all of Mark Higgins Racing’s overseas travel. This good-natured challenge was yet another incentive to show just what the Camaro could do.

Mercedes Benz World – SS1 & 2

The first two stages were run over a 0.82 mile course that was tight and twisty, with just one straight. It was also damp and slippery on this early autumn day, which meant that Stuart and Steve were perhaps a little too cautious as they discovered what their car’s handling would be like with its extra grunt.

This meant that the first run of 1:06.2 was good enough only for joint-sixth, but the second run was completed in a fourth-quickest 1:03.4, leaving them fifth overall (but leading Class 6) as they left Brooklands. Almost inevitably, Phil Hindley was quickest on both stages and was 6.7 seconds ahead of the Camaro. More encouragingly, though, the CBT car was just a second behind the second-placed Porsche 911 of Stephen Radcliffe and Peter Gunson. The route now took the MB field along another 23 mile road section, from one famous circuit to another; but the next one was famous for very different reasons.

Dunsfold – SS3 & 4

OK, Dunsfold is technically an aerodrome and business park, rather than a motor racing circuit, but it also happens to be the base for BBC’s Top Gear and thus its very well known test track.

While the MB stage of 2.03 miles used only part of the Top Gear track, it did incorporate several of the corners – Crooner, Wilson, Hammerhead, Chicago and Bentley – as well as the start and finish. This produced a very technical track, but one which also featured wide straights; perfect for the CBT Camaro to stretch its legs for the first time. The biggest challenge was that there were three temporary chicanes incorporated into the main straight, and it was the first of these that caught out the Camaro on the first run.

Approaching a stack of wooden pallets, Stuart and Steve only realised at the turn-in point that this was, in fact, the first chicane and a stamp on the brakes did nothing more than fill the car with tyre smoke as the Camaro turned the pallets to firewood and began a 720° spin! The two kept their wits about them and were quickly back on course; the big car ending the run seventh quickest (1:56.1) and only a dozen seconds slower than Hindley’s Porsche, which was again fastest.

Things went better on the second run, even though an understandable caution going into the chicanes probably cost a couple of seconds. A 1:44.7 was the third quickest time and the CBT crew left Dunsfold in sixth overall, but still well in touch.

Farnborough – SS5 & 6

Lunch was taken after the completion of a 20 mile drive to Farnborough airport, where Craig was on hand to change the battery which had by now depleted to the extent that neither the indicators nor the wipers were working.

With car and drivers suitably revitalised, it was time for two runs along a 2.27 mile stage. This was a very good technical stage with numerous hairpins and incorporating part of the airport perimeter road. It was also a tad narrow in places, with concrete walls and RSJs in use as barriers. Adding to the challenge would be loose metal drain covers and concrete drain gulleys. Nevertheless, Stuart and Steve were confident that the course would suit the Camaro, with its long first gear, and it was clear that they would be using first and second gears for most of the stage.

They completed the first run in 3:11.3, third overall and just 6.2 seconds off the pace of Hindley’s Porsche. They knew that they could go faster on the second run, and indeed this proved to be the case; 3:07.1 being their time. However, this was good enough only for seventh as six lighter and more nimble cars made bigger improvements. And, for the first time today, Phil Hindley wasn’t the quickest on the stage. That honour instead went to the Renault Alpine A110 of Brynn Lewis and Mike Hickson, which somehow went 67 seconds quicker on its second run than it had on its first to complete the stage in 2:40.8! More importantly, though, the CBT Camaro was now third overall with two stages remaining.

Before setting off for the 32 mile drive to Laverstoke Park Farm, however, the battery was changed once more as the replacement was also starting to lose power.

Laverstoke – SS7 & 8

The final two competitive stages would be held over a very narrow 1.06 mile stage in the grounds of Mr & Mrs Jody Scheckter’s family home. This would again feature several chicanes, meaning another challenging couple of runs for the big Chevrolet.

Phil Hindley was again quickest on the first run with a 1:24, but the Porsche was the only car to go quicker than the CBT Camaro as Stuart and Steve completed the run in 1:29.7, more than three seconds quicker than the third-placed 911 of Radcliffe and Gunson. This result also pushed the pair to second overall with just one stage to go.

The second run was quicker (1:26.9) and they again found themselves behind Hindley and Bull – who hadn’t improved by so much – in the results. However, two other Porsche 911s had gone quicker still and the Camaro was only fourth. No matter, it was still second overall and leading Class 6. The stage had turned out to be a toughie, with two cars – the Porsche 911 of Duncan & Cate Buck and the aforementioned Renault Alpine – crashing out heavily.

And that was that. Stuart and Steve drove back to HQ in London and collected their……wait, what’s that you say?……….not as simple as that?…….ah!

In theory, the 40 mile drive to the Wyndham Grand should have been a doddle and a formality, but it turned out to be the biggest challenge of the day so far, as they began their journey with an almost voltage-free battery and fading light.

The route back took the CBT crew through Windsor Great Park, which was filled with horses, joggers, dogs, sheep and every Tom, Dick and Harry out for a Saturday afternoon walk. This should have been the opportunity for a photo-op with the castle in the background, but the failing alternator meant that this wouldn’t be an enjoyable drive – the fuel pumps having started to suffer with the loss of voltage, causing the V8 to pop and bang; something horses don’t take kindly to.

After an anxious time, the Camaro managed exited the park and had about eight more miles to go. But as they reached a busy roundabout on the A3, the engine cut out and they were stranded. There wasn’t enough juice in the battery to even power the hazard lights. Was this game over? Had they come so far only to fail so near to the finish line?

A frantic call was made to Craig, who appeared almost instantly. Together with the two drivers and his own helper Bobby, another Eurotech BTCC technician, Craig somehow manage to bump-start the car! There was still hope. But traffic was busy and it was stop-start all the way. With Craig right behind in the Eurotech van in case the Camaro needed a push across the line, Stuart and Steve anxiously made their way back to the finish – they were in a loud and eye-catching race car, but had no lights in the dark as they continued through the busy London Streets. In short, they were easy pickings for any unsympathetic police officer who might cross their path.

But after what seemed like a very long time, the big car reached the finish and its occupants were finally able to celebrate their best result since becoming involved with the Tour Britannia. Both drivers had driven well and the support from Craig and Bobby had been excellent, but while the wait to beat Phil Hindley and Andy Bull would continue, Stuart and Steve were only too pleased to congratulate the Porsche pair on another fine win. Oh, and Carl Williamson? Stuart and Steve kicked his arse on every stage!

With honour restored, the Camaro will be back for the Tour in 2014 with a beefed-up alternator and no doubt several more refinements. Before that, though, it will be taking part in a British Heart Foundation charity day at Snetterton on Sunday 17th November, where Stuart and Steve will be giving passenger rides to help raise money for the charity. Pop along if you can.

Images courtesy Stuart Scott and www.tourbritannia.com